Training Availability in the UK

This post may give you an idea of your chances of entering your preferred field of specialty in the UK.

Training in the UK:

In order to understand these competition ratios, you might want to go through my post Training in the UK to understand the training system in the UK.

Competition Ratio:

Competition ratio is a ratio of application numbers submitted in each specialty, along with the number of seats available in each.

Competition ratio = Number of applications submitted/number of seats available.

Round 1 vs Round 2:

It is also important to know that there are two rounds of recruitment for most specialties. Round 1 is only for UK/EEA nationals. Round 2 is for Non-UK/EEA nationals.

Exceptions:

Non-UK/EEA nationals can apply in Round 1 for GP training.

Non-UK/EEA nationals can apply in Round 1 for Psychiatry training.

Non-UK/EEA nationals can apply in Round 1 for ST3 if they are currently in training. This means that Core Medical Trainees can apply for ST3 level training posts in Round 1.

Competition Ratios Are Only Available for Round 1:

The competition ratios mentioned in this post are only for Round 1 and not for Round 2.

Seats Available for Round 2:

Since only a limited number of candidates apply for Round 2, the data is scattered and difficult to accumulate. I was not able to find competition ratios for Round 2. However, I have accumulated as much data as I could for seat availability for Round 2.

Numbers May Vary:

It is worth noting that these numbers may vary because of the following factors:

1. All statistics mentioned in this article are only for “first preference”. While applying for any training job, we are allowed to have multiple preferences, based on different geographical locations in the UK. A lot of candidates who do not find a training spot at their preferred location, do find a training spot at a location which was their second or third preference.

2. A lot of candidates apply for training spots in multiple specialties.

3. Not every candidate who applies for training is selected. Because a lot of candidates apply for training without proper experience, just to become familiar with the application process.

4. Not every candidate who is selected for training actually takes that post.

5. The number of applications and the number of available seats increases on average by 20-40% every year.

Because of the above factors, the competition ratios might not be as high as they seem to be. For example, 2516 applicants applied for Core Medical Training (CMT) round 1 in 2016 and the number of seats available were only 1640. However, there were still 422 seats available for CMT in round 2 in 2017. This goes to show that out of 2516 candidates who applied for CMT, only 1218 candidates started working as Core Medical Trainees. This left 422 CMT seats vacant, which were opened in round 2.

This post concerns competition ratios for 2016 (round 1) and Seat Availability (round 2) for 2016 and 2017. All of which are the latest available statistics.

Competition Ratios for Round 1

Competition Ratios for ST1 Specialties in Round 1 for 2016:

More ST1 Specialties:

The complete file documenting competition ratios for all the ST1 specialties for 2016 can be found here.

Competition Ratios for ST3 Medical Specialties in Round 1 for 2016:

Competition Ratios for ST3 Surgical Specialties in Round 1 for 2016:

Competition Ratios for ST3 Other Specialties in Round 1 for 2016:

More ST3 Specialties:

The complete file documenting competition ratios for all the ST3 specialties for 2016 can be found here.

Seat Availability for Round 2

Seats Available for CMT in Round 2 for 2017:

Seats Available for CST in Round 2 for 2017:

Seats Available for ST3 Medical Specialties in Round 2 for 2016:

More ST3 Specialties:

You can visit the official ST3 recruitment website to check the number of seats available for your preferred field in both Round 1 and Round 2. Go to the bottom of the page and click on your choice of sub-specialty. A new page will open. Click on Data.

Conclusion

This post may give you a rough, but not a completely precise, idea of your chances of entering your preferred field.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I can’t find my preferred field of specialty in this post. What should I do?If your preferred field is not listed in my post, it’s because I could not find any data related to it. It’s best to go to Google and search for it yourself or to ask other people. If you find any information that is not in this blog, kindly share it with me, so I could add it to my blog and help others.

First of all thank you for all your efforts.
Is there way for non-UK/EEA nationals to apply for Cardiology or Ophthalmology ?
Something like non-training jobs that would qualify me to apply for one of these specialties ?

And regarding specialties that are available for Round 2, is there any thing to do increase my chances for getting the post ?

Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!
-I can’t find information regarding the availability of run through programs and how the one can apply to them,
– what are the options incase the desired speciality doesn’t end up in round two?
-does FY2 really require 7.5 in all ielts bands as I read in their official website?

what are some of the reasons for failure to get training posts. i was there in the uk for my electives and they told me fy1 and fy2 gets you training. according to your knowledge and experience how important is foundation training

so the UK nowadays is possible because they are giving people training jobs (i mean whats equivalent to FY2 jobs) and so we can build up our CV’s and so we have more chances for the core medical training? and that was not possible before the UK doctors shortage back in the days?

and so lets say 2 years ago it was not possible or it was hard to get a non training job which made the UK back in the days hard to specialize it right? im admiring your patience with all these questions ! 🙂

Hello sir ..thank you very much for all the plab help ,it has helped me a lot ..I have completed my 2 years of radiology training in India and I am planning to give plab and frcr part 1 in June can u please guide me if I can get into a radiology St2/3 training post in the uk directly.

Hi what are my chances of getting into core surgical training in uk?
Are they better than my chances in us?
I want to get into general surgery
What are my prospects of getting a training job in this field.
If you could help me in this regard or direct me to a person who could help me it would be really awesome

Apart from what I have shared in this post, I do not have any more knowledge about our chances of finding surgical training in the UK or the US. I am sorry about this. It would be best to join this Facebook group for your questions:

Hello
Thank you for this very informative blog.I want to specialize in surgery and have a lot of questions about getting a GMC license but don’t really find the answers(at least not explained in an easy way):

1)After i’ve done PLAB 1,can i do F1 just to get accustomed to work in the UK,and then do PLAB2?
2)I didn’t understand what comes after PLAB2,what the difference between Core training and F2 is,and if I should apply for them if I want to get into surgery.

No, you do not need any LORs in the UK. The UK has more jobs and fewer doctors. So everyone finds a non-training job in the UK.

For training job? Again, you don’t need LORs. But research, audits, presentations, teaching experience, etc helps. And it also heavily depends on which specialty you want to pursue. Medicine, A&E, GP training, psychiatry, paediatrics are very easy to find. Surgery, OBGYN, cardiology, dermatology and radiology are difficult, but not impossible to find.

All of my friends who applied for medicine training this year have been hired. So that may give you an idea of how easy it is to find training in some specialties.

Thanks a lot very informative i wanted to ask about neurosurgery its very difficult in usa to get a residency in neurosurgery what are the chances for a non UK non EU to get a training program in neurosurgery in UK and do we need some experience for it in UK
Thanks

Good morning.thank you Khan for this post.please does it mean that as a non EU/UK,that I don’t have a chance to do Obstetrics And Gynaecology or Paediatrics.Please help me I really want to be sure to direct my future.Thank you

Hi Dr Khan and thank you very much for all your assistance and efforts.

Yesterday I found out that I passed my PLAB 2 and I am a bit overwhelmed about the ‘what’s next step’. If I have the chance to find a FY2 post do you think it would be better than an SHO post?

So ONLY UK nationals can pursue a Cardiology training? That is a bit unfair as many great candidates are excluded. The only way is to wait 5 years, get the UK passport and then apply? I am also interested in training in Dermatology; is it a hard training to enter?

Also, after contacting the Foundation Programme and a couple of trusts, the 7.5 in EVERY subject of the IELTS seems that applies only to FY1. What I have been told was that the trusts are much flexible in regards of this, especially if you have passed the PLAB examination which is an obvious demonstration of the English language command. Thought it would be an interesting information to share.

A. Training (also known as LAT or Standalone FY2).
B. Non-Training (also known as Trustgrade FY2).

For the training FY2, you do need a valid IELTS with at least 7.5 in each section and 7.5 overall as well. For non-training FY2, you do not need IELTS. I hope that makes the importance of IELTS clear.

Getting a training FY2 is very difficult since they are not always available; most FY1 doctors go to FY2 and there are almost no vacancies left.

Also keep in mind that non-training FY2, SHO, CT1 or ST1 jobs are more or less the same jobs with different names. So you should apply for all of them, regardless of their name.

Lastly, cardiology and dermarolotgy are both difficult to find. However, I did recently receive an email from an IMG who is ST3 Cardiololgy and I have heard of others too. If they share their wisdom with me, I will definitely pass it on.

Apologies for bothering you again with a question, but can I ask you what do you think is the best course of action? Find a non-training position for some time and then go straight to ST1/CT1 or I will def need a training FY2 position in order to progress to specialty/core training?

I think it is best to start your UK career with a non-training FY2/SHO/CT1/ST1/TrustGrade post.

You can get your FY2 competency form signed. This competency form will make you equal to someone who has completed FY2. Thus, you will be able to apply for Core Training. This form can be signed by any consultant, from your home country or the UK, under whom you have worked for at least 3 months during the last 3 years.

The above-mentioned route is taken by nearly all International Medical Graduates in the UK.

Cardiology training begins at ST3 level and is hard to find. You can only apply for ST3 level posts after you have completed MRCP and Core Training (or if you have got your Core Training competencies signed). So it would be best to go through two years of Core Medical Training and pass your MRCP during this time to be able to apply for ST3 Cardiology. But keep in mind that you will need more guidance to be able to find ST3 Cardiology, since it is not easy to find.

Hello, as mentioned in my article, Training Structure in the UK, run-through is available in a lot of different specialties. And each specialty has its own run-through program. So you will have to check each specialty’s program on their official web page. Best of luck! 🙂

Hello Nasser, I plan to finish my plab 2 by august and hopefully get my first job in UK by end year/Jan. My main aim is to get into core medical training. I see that the applications begin in feb/march. I have seen the scoring system and the only thing i have is some publications. I have worked in India so should have my competencies done. My question is how competitive is CMT and would i be able to get in by just doing well in the interview? I do not mind going to any part of the uk. TY

Each and every single friend of mine who applied for CMT this year, found training. Some of them only had MBBS, IELTS, PLAB and a few months of training experience, without any research, audits or anything else. But ALL of them found CMT slots, even the ones who had bad interviews. So will you. No need to worry. Just get your competencies signed.

Dear Naseer,
Regarding Cardiology ST3 round 2 training positions, Do you mean they never open it in round 2 for non-UK/EEA nationals !! does this mean IMGs can’t get into a training ST3 position !!?
Thank you so much for your help.

That is what their website says. But I have heard from my friends that IMGs do find ST3 cardiology posts. I am not sure how. This is a grey area and people are not willing to help so far. If I find anything, I will share for sure. Good luck! 🙂

Hello
Sir What Pathway can with unaaceptable pattern of housejob use to secure further job in UK?
Can one go for CMT ofter complete whole mrcp pathway.
Because I want to apply for Cardiology in future and I have heard we can only apply for it in round one.
As I m a pakistani national what options do I have?

Thanks for your helpful notes and efforts
I have worked as an internal medicine resident for 3 years in my home country
I have 2 Qs :
1-from what I understand from your answers If I want to work in medicine I should apply After PLAB2 for no training then training in medicine ?? what about (If you are experienced in particular specialty (more than 18 months ), UK won’t offer u training in that specialty?) I don not understand that , is it means i will not be able to get a training job in medicine through PLAB or what plz clarify ?
2-If I want to go through OBS and GYNA should I take non training for the whole 6 years in Obs and Gyna then Apply for training ?
Thanks very much for your help

You are GOLD!!! Such an amazing job!!!!!!!!!
Can you answer my question please.
If you want to be a consultant in internal medicine in uk, what preference should you take for CMT and then how will it proceed? i mean how many years would it likely take from just pass plab 2 to consultant internal medicine? any idea for IMG from Pakistan…
and then will that have any scope in Pakistan once you become a consultant in UK and want to practice in Pakistan.
I am sorry if I am questioning more and more and taking your precious time….thanks for your honest reply in anticipation.

Hi Doctor
Your post are very beneficial .
I am ecfmg certified ,doing step 3 usmle …with medical officer experience from my home country in FM with maternity clinic ….
I have one pubmed publication in obgyn with obgyn rotations in USA ,but due to some reasons want to shift to uk …..
I do not have training .
I have one year internship from home country …
I am a Canadian citisen .

I want to do training in obgyn and my second choice will GP training ..

Can you please guide me ,how competitive is obgyn for me to get the training post …

And how competitive will be for me to get FY2 in obgyn …

How can I enhance my cv for

Do you think as obgyn is ST 1 ,,,,so after round 1 the slots get empty to be filled by obgyn programmes …